Hulu vs YouTube TV: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Plain Hulu is an on-demand library; YouTube TV is live TV. The like-for-like match is Hulu + Live TV: 95+ live channels with the Hulu library and an unlimited Cloud DVR, against YouTube TV’s 100+ channels (or 50+ on Sports + News), unlimited DVR, six accounts and three streams. If you don’t need live channels, plain Hulu is the smaller, cheaper subscription.
Option A
Option B
We compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | Hulu | YouTube TV |
|---|---|---|
| Live channels | With Hulu + Live TV (95+) | 100+ / 50+ |
| DVR | Unlimited (Live TV) | Unlimited |
| Screens at once | 2 | 3 |
| Accounts or profiles | Profiles, incl. Kids | 6 accounts |
| Sports extras | ESPN bundles | Multiview, NFL Sunday Ticket |
Searches for “Hulu vs YouTube TV” are almost always about replacing cable. The price block below compares plain Hulu’s streaming plans; Hulu + Live TV plans are separate and cost more.
If you don’t want to read further
No live channels needed — plain Hulu. Replacing cable: YouTube TV for more accounts, streams and NFL Sunday Ticket; Hulu + Live TV if you want the Hulu library and Disney+ bundles in the same plan.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
Live channels?
Hulu
Not on plain Hulu; Hulu + Live TV adds 95+ live channels.
YouTube TV
100+ channels on YouTube TV, 50+ on Sports + News, including locals by ZIP code.
Without live channels, the two aren’t competitors at all.
Screens at once?
Hulu
Two; the Unlimited Screens add-on allows any number on your home network.
YouTube TV
Three, with up to 6 household accounts; unlimited at home with the 4K Plus add-on.
Bigger households get more out of YouTube TV’s base plan.
DVR?
Hulu
Unlimited Cloud DVR with Live TV; recordings stay up to 9 months.
YouTube TV
Unlimited DVR, with a personal library for each account.
Both record without a space limit.
On-demand library?
Hulu
The full Hulu streaming library, plus Disney+ bundles.
YouTube TV
On-demand content from the channels and add-ons you subscribe to.
For series binge-watching, Hulu.
Sports extras?
Hulu
ESPN through bundles.
YouTube TV
Multiview for up to 4 games and NFL Sunday Ticket as an add-on.
For NFL Sunday Ticket, YouTube TV.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
Local channels by location
Hulu uses your Home network, YouTube TV your ZIP code.
Add-ons on top
Hulu sells Unlimited Screens; YouTube TV sells 4K Plus and premium networks.
No long-term contract
Neither charges cancellation fees.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You don’t watch live TV | Plain Hulu | With Ads or Premium. |
| A household of five or six | YouTube TV | 6 accounts, 3 streams. |
| You want NFL Sunday Ticket | YouTube TV | Requires an active YouTube TV plan. |
| You want live TV and Disney+ together | Hulu + Live TV | Live channels with the Hulu library and bundles. |
- Plain Hulu has no live channels — Hulu + Live TV is a separate plan.
- YouTube TV’s promotional price ends after the first months, with no refunds on the offer.
- Hulu Cloud DVR recordings are lost if you cancel, but kept if you pause.
- NFL Sunday Ticket ends if you cancel YouTube TV.
Where the facts come from
Sources: the Hulu Help Center and the YouTube TV website. The price blocks show plain Hulu’s plans; Hulu + Live TV is priced separately.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Hulu or YouTube TV
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “Streaming services” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — price compared with others: Hulu Premium
Hulu Premium: 21,49 USD/mo (5,0/5) · YouTube TV: 82,99 USD/mo (1,0/5)
If what matters most is — maximum resolution: Hulu Premium
Hulu Premium: 4K UHD (HDR not for all content) (4,0/5) · YouTube TV: 720p HD (2,0/5)
If what matters most is — what else is included: YouTube TV
Hulu Premium: the catalog only (2,0/5) · YouTube TV: 2 extra content types at no extra cost (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — simultaneous streams: YouTube TV
Hulu Premium: 2 screens at the same time (3,0/5) · YouTube TV: 3 screens at the same time (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — profiles: Hulu Premium
Hulu Premium: up to 7 (5,0/5) · YouTube TV: up to 6 (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — app rating: Hulu Premium
Hulu Premium: 4,6 out of 5 (4,6/5) · YouTube TV: 3,6 out of 5 (3,6/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: